Rear lights for electric bikes and city bikes

Which rear light to choose for riding in the city?

In the city, danger comes less from darkness and more from confusion: headlights, signs, and car lights blend together, and cyclists need to stand out from this backdrop, including at intersections. A permanently mounted light, powered by the battery of the e-bike or a dynamo, turns on as soon as you ride and can never be forgotten at home. A USB rechargeable light can be removed when parking to avoid theft and can be transferred from one bike to another, but you need to remember to recharge it.

Connected to the e-bike battery: voltage and compatibility

On an electric bike, the light must match the voltage supplied by the system, usually 6 or 12 volts; some models accept a wider range, up to 36, 42, or 48 volts depending on the manufacturers. Check in the bike’s manual, or with your bike shop, that the lighting output is equipped and activated on your motor. Dynamo versions, for bikes without assistance, can be recognized by their standby function: they stay on for a few minutes when stopped, the length of a red light.

Where to mount it: rack, mudguard, or seat post?

On a city bike, the rack is the most common place: lights can be screwed there according to a standardized spacing of 50 or 80 mm, and some accept both. The mudguard light, more discreet, is placed at the rear end. On the seat post, a basket, saddlebags, or a child seat can quickly obscure the light: ensure it remains visible once the bike is loaded. If mounted on the stays, one is needed on each side.

Fixed light, flash mode, and stop light: what the Highway Code requires

The Highway Code, as service-public.gouv.fr reminds us, requires a red light at the back of every bike, without flashing, to be turned on at night as well as during the day whenever visibility is poor, plus a permanent red reflector; a towed trailer must carry the same equipment. The flashing mode is useful during the day to attract attention, as a supplement. Stop lights, which become brighter when the bike slows down, help motorists anticipate your stops at intersections.

Front light and other pages

The rear light is complemented by a headlight and reflectors: all the solutions for being seen in the city are gathered in the urban bike lighting. For a road or gravel bike, the sporty rear lighting features more powerful lights and radar models.

What brands of rear lights for the city?

Moon equips its Helix Lite with a daytime flash mode, side visibility, and an IPX7 rating, with USB-C charging; the Alcor can also be clipped to a belt or to a bag.

Axa, a Dutch bike security brand, designs the Juno for 50 or 80 mm racks: it connects to a dynamo or the battery of an e-bike from 6 to 12 volts, and its dynamo version stays on for up to four minutes while stopped; the Dynamo Ray completes the range.

Bookman, with Scandinavian design, offers the Block Light Rear, a compact USB-C rechargeable light that clips on without tools and features four modes, designed for daily commutes.

Busch & Müller claims German manufacturing for its Toplight rack lights, available in rechargeable or electric bike versions, with a parking function on the Toplight Flat S, and also offers a brake light.

Rear lights on promotion

Lights that are being phased out join the safety and visibility clearance, and lights recently added to the catalog are grouped in the new arrivals. The switch to winter time is the right moment to check the lighting of all the bikes in the household.

Frequently asked questions

Which rear light to choose for an electric bike?

A light designed for your system's voltage, connected to the battery: it turns on with the assistance and doesn’t need to be recharged. If your bike doesn’t have a lighting output, a USB rechargeable light mounted on the rack or seat post will do the job.

Can you connect any light to the battery of an e-bike?

No. The light must accept the voltage of the lighting output, often 6 or 12 volts, and the system must be configured to power it. A dynamo light is not necessarily compatible: choose a version advertised for electric bikes.

Is flashing mode prohibited in the city?

The required rear light must remain fixed at night and in reduced visibility conditions. The flashing mode of rechargeable lights is mainly used during the day to attract attention: at dusk, switch back to fixed mode.

How to prevent theft of your rear light?

A light screwed onto the rack or mudguard and wired to the battery or dynamo is not of much interest to thieves. A clip-on or elastic light can be removed in seconds: take it with you as soon as you park the bike.

Is a battery-operated light sufficient for riding in the city?

Yes, if it is red, fixed, and clearly visible from the rear. Regularly check the condition of the batteries, as the intensity gradually decreases, and keep a spare set or a small emergency light in the bag.